Indicator mechanism



Oct. 18, 1955 c. PUNZMANN 2,720,746

INDICATOR MECHANISM FiledJune so, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 18, 1955 c, Z N 2,720,746

INDICATOR MECHANISM Filed June 30, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

20 N 55 y 6, g g (2421 Pm/znM/sw I 1 BY United States Patent INDICATOR MECHANISM Carl Punzmann, Rego Park, N. Y., assignor to Bulova Watch Company, Inc, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application June 30, 1953, Serial No. 365,012 7 Claims. (Cl. 58-

The present invention relates to a mechanism for indicating the day of the current week and month and more particularly to a mechanism of this type actuated by a clock when provided in combination with a radio receiver set.

Day and date indicating mechanisms have been made in various forms under conditions providing ample space for the necessary cooperating mechanical parts. When it is desired to construct mechanism of this type, to provide what may be termed a calendar clock, for practical and reliable operation in a limited space, as for example in combination with a clock mechanism mounted in a radio receiver, a problem is presented requiring a novel combination of operating elements to attain the necessary compact arrangement of correlated mechanical parts.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simplified day and date indicating mechanism which may be readily applied to cooperate with a timing mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide a calendar type of mechanism in the form of a unit occupying a minimum amount of space.

Another object of the invention is to provide a calendar type clock unit of simplified construction and arrangement of parts which may be quickly and conveniently assembled and produced at relatively low cost.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following description together with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows a radio receiving set with the present invention applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevational side view of the present calendar unit as constructed for application to a radio receiver;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the opposite side of the unit shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 shows a radio set casing partly broken away to show the present calendar unit in position to be actuated by the clock mechanism as commonly provided;

Fig. 5 is a detail view of a portion of a mechanism which operates to actuate day and date indicating elements;

Fig. 6 shows a detail view of mechanism for setting or resetting the day and date indicating elements and Fig. 7 is a view taken on line VII-VII in Fig. 2.

As illustrated in the drawing (Fig. l) the present invention may, as one practical embodiment, be applied within the casing 10 of a radio receiving set 11 having a timing mechanism of the conventional type operated by a synchronous electric motor (not shown).

The clock may include an hour hand 13, minute hand 13' and sweep second hand 14. These hands are driven through the agency of the usual concentric shafts 15, 16 and 17, operated from power translated from a suitable source, as an electric motor.

As will be evident from the following, the present invention provides a self-contained calendar unit including What may be termed, a day-indicator disk 18 and a date-indicator disk 19. These disks are disposed between a back plate 21 and a clock dial plate 12. The back-plate 21 is secured to the clock dial 12 by tap bolts 22 extending through spacer members 23 whereby the back-plate and dial plate are held in spaced relation and provide a compartment or chamber 26 for the indicator disks 18 and 19.

The indicator disk 18, as shown, has seven abbreviations of the names of the days of the week. The arrangement of names on the face of disk 18 is such that when the disk is rotated to a given position about a pivot pin 18' extending from plate 21, the name of a given day will appear through a window 24 in the dial plate in proper position for visual notice. The dial may be of any suitable opaque material with the aperture or window 24 in any selected position as for example at one side of the dial center.

The disk 19 is provided with numerals arranged in spaced relation on the disk face and adjacent to the periphery thereof. These numerals indicate the days of the month and are designated as 1 to 31 inclusive and their location and arrangement is such that upon each rotation or partial rotation of the disk 19 a number indicating a date will appear through a window 25 suitably positioned in the dial 12.

In accordance with the present invention as stated above the disks 18 and 19 are disposed in the compartment 20 consisting of a back Wall (plate 21) and a front wall (dial 12).

When the back plate 21 and the dial plate 12 are secured in spaced relation to form front and back walls of a compartment the side or edge walls will consist of the surrounding housing such as the casing 1i or the enclosure provided for any timing mechanism to which the present calendar unit is applied.

The dial 12 and plate 21 are spanned by a tubular member or bushing 26. This bushing has a flange 27 at one end engaged with the outer surface of dial plate 12 and is secured at its other end in the plate 21. The bushing serves as stub shaft for disk 19 which is free to rotate about the shaft. This bushing 26 also serves as a bearing member for the concentrically arranged shafts of the hour, minute and second hands.

The bushing 26, about which the date disk 19 rotates, extends through the back plate 21 and serves as a bearing or pivot for hub 31 of a rocker member 32. This rocker member is of relatively thin sheet metal and while free to rock about the extended end of bushing 26, is retained against lateral movement by plate 21 and a split ring clamp 33.

The rocker member 32 is provided with a straight arm 34 extending from one side of hub 31 and having one end 35 disposed over an arcuate slot 36 in back plate 21. The slot 36 is so positioned as to be in alignment with the outer edge of disk 19 at the opposite side of plate 21. The disk edge is formed with angular teeth 37 to provide a ratchet wheel with teeth corresponding in number to the thirty-one days of the month as provided.

At the end 35 of arm 34 is a spring finger or pawl 38. One end of the spring finger is secured to the arm end 35 and the other or free end is in tensional contact with the toothed edge of disk 19 whereby, when the pawl engages a tooth face each movement of arm 34, in one direction, moves disk 19 a distance equal to the pitch of the teeth or a distance equal to part of the circumference of the disk as will be hereinafter described.

Extending from the other side of hub 31, of rocker member 32 is a straight arm 41 having an end 42 projecting emerge.

slightly beyond an arcuate edge 43 of plate 21. The said arm end 42 is provided with a spring finger or pawl 44 in normal tensional contact with the edge of disk 18 which extends beyond the arcuate edge 43 of plate 21. The disk 18, which is pivotally mounted on pivot pin 18, secured to plate 21, is provided with an edge of angular teeth 45 to form a ratchet wheel the teeth of which correspond in number to the seven names of the days of the week. Adjacent to each tooth of the disk 18, on the disk side facing the dial 12 is a name of a day of the week so positioned as to be aligned in view through window 2 4 as above mentioned.

The rocker member 32 provided with pawls or the detents 38 and 44, when rocked about bushing 26 as its p Will au e p w s t e gag teet n he di ks and move a distance equal to the pitch of the teeth as the rocker arm is actuated. The diameters of the disks differ and the pitch of the teeth also differ, hence the rocker member must be so actuated that the respective pawls will engage a tooth after movement of the pawls in one direction. Having engaged a tooth on each disk the direction of movement of the pawls must be reversed in order that each pawl, engaged with a tooth on a disk, will as the pawl is moved upon movement of the rocker member, cause the disks to move about their axes a given distance. The movement of the pawls must be so timed relatively that during a given time period (24 hours) the name of the day will appear through window 24 and the number of the day of the month will appear through window 25.

As will be noted, spring finger or pawl 41 traveling over the edge of disk 19 has the shorter distance to travel before engaging a tooth since the pitch of the teeth on disk 19 is less than the pitch of the teeth on disk 18. Therefore the spring finger or pawl 31 is caused to move a greater distance, to permit both spring fingers to be engaged with a tooth before further action occurs to cause a rotation of the disks to bring the name of a day at one window and a number indicating the day of the month at the other window.

This movement of the spring fingers or pawls at the ends of arms 34 and 41 is first in one direction (counterclockwise) to cause the pawls to travel a distance equal to the pitch of the teeth to engage teeth. The movement of the pawls is then reversed and they move in the opposite direction (clockwise) to cause them to engage the teeth and move the disks a selected distance equal to the pitch of the respective disks.

This variable but controlled movement of the pawls or detents 38 and 41 is accomplished by providing the rocker member 32 with an internal cam surface 46. Extending from and integral with plate 21 and within the border of cam surface 46, is a pivot pin 47. Mounted for rotation on pin 47 is a gear wheel 48. This gear wheel is in mesh with a pinion 49 at one end of shaft 51. This shaft is driven by any suitable clock mechanism (not shown) to rotate gear wheel 48 one revolution every twenty-four hours. a 7

The gear wheel 48, which may be termed the driven member of the calendar unit, has extendingfrorn its surface a pin or cam follower 52 so positioned as to wipe the cam surface 46 as the gear wheel 43 rotates.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 5 the pivot pin 47 serves as an anchor post within the cam surface 46. As the gear wheel 48 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow X the cam follower 52 engages the cam edge 46. When the pawls 44and 38 are in position to engage a tooth on disk 18 and 19 respectively the cam follower 52 has moved free of the cam surface during an appreciable movement of the gear wheel 48, therefore no actuation of the rocker member 32; will occur. As the gear wheel continues to rotate the direction of movement of the arms 34 and 41 is reversed and pawls 44 and 38 each engage a tooth of disks 18 and 19 respectively and as the gear wheel 48 completes one revolution the disks have positioned a day name opposite window 24 and a date number opposite window'25. H

The resultant co-operation between the cam follower 52 carried on gear 48 and the cam surface 46, will be understood by reference to Fig. 5. Assuming that the pawls 38 and 44 have been moved to engage teeth of the disks and position a day name opposite window 24 and a date number opposite window 25.

The gear 48 continues to rotate the cam follower which travels over cam 46 causing the arms 34 and 41 to move pawls 38 and 44 to positions to each engage another tooth on the disks. This movement includes a travel of the cam follower indicated as A during which no co-operative action occurs making an idle period of five hours. As the cam follower is moved it engages the cam surface and the movement of the arms 34 and 41 is reversed causing the pawls 38 and 44 to travel over the edges of the disks a distance indicated as B during a period Of eight hours. The cam follower then travels through distance indicated as C during a time period of five and one quarter hours at which time the pawls engage teeth on the disks to, cause the disks to rotate and change the day, name and date numeral. This distance of movement is indicated as D and takes five and three quarter hours. This means that during this time period the day name and the date numeral will move from view as a new name and number appear. This changeover operation may be made to occur at night. If the clock should become inoperative for an appreciable time period the day and date may be reset at night, by means to be described, so that thereafter the change in day and date will be made at a time when the changeover will not be observed.

As stated hereinabove the disks 18 and 19 are positioned between dial 12 and back plate 21. These disks are, as pointed out, of relatively thin sheet metal and it is important that during their movement any lost motion or vibration be avoided and further that when set in a given position they resist any accidental readjustment. It will be noted that disk 19 has a number of spring fingers 55 (see Fig. 7) which engage the inner surface of dial 12 to provide sufficient frictional contact to keep the disk steady during its intermittent movement. For the purpose of temporarily retaining the disk it is formed with stop members 56 which are also stamped from the sheet metal disk and which engage notches 57 formed in back plate 21. These notches are arranged in radial formation around the pivot point of the disk and are equal in number to the date numerals. Thus when the disk isset at a given date it is held against accidental adjustment but free to be moved for resetting. The disk 18 is also provided with spring fingers 58 which engage the inner surface of dial 12 to hold the disk against lateral movement.

It is again pointed out that the present calendar unit takes up very little space by reason of the novel arrange ment and use of sheet metal parts. It is necessary in the drawing to show the thickness of the parts which requires enlargement of parts. The compartment 20 is shown in the drawing as about of an inch in width where as in practice it has been found practical to employ a compartment of about 2 of an inch distance between plates 12 and 21.

The foregoing has been directed to the automatic operation of the disks but as will be evident it is necessary to provide manual resetting means. In accordance with the present invention a simple and practical manual resetting mechanism is therefore provided.

The indicator disk 19 may be manually actuated by means of a knurled finger piece 61 at one end of a shaft 62 extending through and suitably journaled in casing 14) of the radio set. The other end of the shaft 61 is provided with a circular plate or crank disk 63 secured thereto. An arm 64 having one end pivotally connected at 64 to plate 63 is positioned with its other end in contact with the toothed edge of disk 19. A tension member 65 having one end secured to the arm 64 at 66 and its opposite end held by a stop member 67, serves to normally hold the arm 64 with end 68 in position to engage a tooth of disk 19. As the finger piece is partially rotated the plate 63 and the pivotally connected arm 64, which constitutes a reciprocal bell-crank element, causes the end of the arm to engage a tooth of disk 19. A continued rotation of the finger piece results in a movement of the disk 19 a distance equal to the pitch of a tooth. Thus by means of the finger piece the disk may be rotated in either direction to bring the selected date opposite the window 25.

The indicator disk 18 which rotates on pivot 18 is, as shown, positioned in overlapping relation to disk 19 and may be actuated by rotating a finger piece or knob 71 at one end of shaft 72 suitably journaled in the casing of the radio set. The other end of the shaft 72 is provided with a circular plate or crank disk 73 having a wrist-pin 74 disposed in slot 75 at the upper end of a bent arm 76 pivoted at 77 on back plate 21. The lower end 76' of bent arm 76 is provided with a bell crank 78 pivoted at 79. The bell crank 78 has a short arm 81 and a long arm 82. One end 83 of short arm 31 extends through an aperture 84 adjacent to the lower end 76 of arm 76. One end of a tension member 85, which is secured at 86, to lower end of bent arm 76', engages the short arm end 83 causing a contact member 87, of long arm 82, to normally engage the toothed edge of disk 18.

A rotation of the finger piece 71 rocks crank arm 76 about its pivot 77 causing the lower end 76 of crank arm 76 to move, thereby causing the contact member 87 at the end of the long arm 82 of hell crank 78 to ride over the edge of disk 18 a distance equal to the pitch of the teeth and engage a tooth face. When in this position the wrist-pin 74 has moved in slot 75 to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6 and beyond the dead center of the crank disk 73. A continued rotation of the shaft 72 reverses the direction of movement of long arm 76 with the result that contact member 87 being engaged with a tooth face, causes the disk to rotate as the lower end 76 of crank arm 76 is rocked in an opposite direction. The movement of the contact member 87 being thus reversed the movement of the disk 18 brings a day name opposite the window 24. The knob 71 may be rotated causing the actuation of the contact member 87 to successively engage a tooth to move disk 18 to bring a selected day name into view. It will be evident that the knob 71 may be turned in either direction with the same result in the actuation of disk 18.

From the foregoing it will be evident that the present invention provides a self-contained calendar unit that may be applied to any suitable clock or timing mechanism. Although the invention is shown, by way of example to a radio set it is equally applicable to various types of clocks such as a desk, wall or other time indicating mechanisms where it is desired to include characters indicating the current day of the week and month.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown and described herein it is to be understood that modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An indicator mechanism comprising a disk having peripheral teeth, a second disk having peripheral teeth, pivot pins for rotably supporting said disks, a rocker member having a hub portion, a pivot pin for said hub, a pair of arms extending from said hub portion, a pawl at the end of each of said arms, one of said pawls engaging teeth on said first disk, the other of said pawls engaging teeth on said second disk, a cam surface integral with said rocker member and disposed between said arms, a cam follower for engaging said cam surface, means for actuating said cam follower to cause said pawls to move in one direction to engage teeth in said disks and in an opposite direction to move said disks and means for moving said disks about their axes independent of said pawls.

2. A mechanism for indicating the day of the current week and month comprising a day of the week indicating disk having seven peripheral teeth, a day of the month indicating disk having thirty-one peripheral teeth, a rocker member having oppositely extending arms, means for pivotally supporting said rocker member, a pawl at an end of each of said arms for engaging teeth of said disks, a cam surface integral with said rocker member, a gear wheel, a cam follower carried by said gear wheel and means for rotating said gear wheel to cause said cam follower to actuate said rocker member and cause said pawls to engage teeth on said disks to move said disks a predetermined distance.

3. A mechanism for indicating the day of the current week and month comprising a day of the week indicating disk having seven peripheral teeth, a day of the month indicating disk having thirty-one peripheral teeth, a rocker member having oppositely extending arms, means for pivotally supporting said rocker member, a pawl at an end of each of said arms for engaging teeth of one of said disks, a cam surface integral with said rocker member disposed between said means and an end of one of said arms, a gear wheel, a cam follower carried by said gear wheel and means for rotating said gear wheel to cause said cam follower to actuate said rocker member and cause said pawls to engage teeth on said disks to move said disks a predetermined distance.

4. A calendar clock unit comprising a pair of plate members, means for holding said members in close spaced relation, a bushing extending through said plate members serving as a bearing for clock hand shafts, a disk between said plates and mounted for rotation about said bushing, said disk having teeth around the periphery thereof, a character on a surface of said disk adjacent to each of said teeth, one of said plates having a window in alignment with the path of movement of said characters, a pawl normally engaging the toothed edge of said disk and means for actuating said pawl to engage a tooth and move said disk a predetermined distance to position one of said characters in line with said window.

5. A calendar clock unit comprising a pair of plate members, means for holding said members in close spaced relation, a bushing extending through said plate members serving as a bearing for clock hand shafts, a disk between said plates and mounted for rotation about said bushing, said disk having teeth around the periphery thereof, a character on a surface of said disk adjacent to each of said teeth, one of said plates having a window in alignment with the path of movement of said characters, a rocker member, a pawl on said member normally engaging the toothed edge of said disk and means for actuating said rocker member to engage a tooth and move said disk a predetermined distance to position one of said characters in line with said window.

6. A calendar clock unit comprising a pair of plate members, means for holding said members in close spaced relation, a bushing extending through said plate members serving as a bearing for clock hand shafts, a disk between said plates and mounted for rotation about said bushing, said disk having teeth around the periphery thereof, a character on a surface of said disk adjacent to each of said teeth, one of said plates having a window in alignment with the path of movement of said characters, a rocker member, a pawl on said member normally engaging the toothed edge of said disk and a cam surface integral with said member for actuating said pawl to engage a tooth and move said disk a predetermined distance to position one of said characters in line with said window.

7. An indicator unit comprising a dial plate and a back plate, means for retaining said plates in close spaced relation to provide a chamber, a tubular bearing connecting said plates, a disk positioned in said chamber and rotatable about said bearing, a second disk positionedin said chamber, means for pivotally supporting said second disk, said first mentioned disk having thirty-one peripheral teeth, said second disk havingseven peripheral teeth, a rocker member pivotal'ly supported on said tubu-. lar bearing, a cam surface integral with said rocker member, said rocker member having a pair of arms, said back plate having a slot exposing a portion of the teeth on said first mentioned disk, one of said arms having means for engaging said exposed teeth, a portion of the teeth of said other disk extending beyond one edge of said plate, the other of said arms having means for engaging said last mentioned teeth, a cam follower for engaging said cam surface and means foraetuating said earn follower'to rook said rocker member to cause said teeth to cause an intermittent movement of said disks,

References Cited in, the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 577,573 Culver Feb. 23, 1897 1,44 ,249 Bum Ian. 16, 1923 10 2,246,883 Harrison June 24, 1941 2,654,988 Gasbarro T V Oct. 13, 1953 

